Three Wasabi Plant Starts

NOTE: WE ARE CURRENTLY NOT SHIPPING TO HAWAII

Wasabi plant start(s) are shipped bare roots with potting soil to provide insulation.

The plants can be grown indoors or outdoors and do well in pots. They require full shade (or filtered morning sun) and well-drained soil. It is important to not overwater.

Wasabi plants are perennial and produce leaves year-round – similar to kale. Wasabi leaves are edible and delicious! Enjoy eating the leaves while waiting for the rhizome to grow. Enjoy harvesting and eating the leaves and leaf stems raw or cooked while you wait for your rhizome to grow!  When your rhizome is ready to harvest it is recommended to hand dig the plant out of the ground or pot. You can then remove the offshoots that have formed around the base of the plant to be potted or planted and expand your wasabi crop. Trim away the roots and stems and enjoy your fresh wasabi.

Click here for a PDF of our growing guidelines(included with each order)

Your order will contain live plants, if you don’t have time to plant them right away they can be put in the refrigerator until you are ready to plant them.

In its natural habitat, you will find Wasabi growing on the shaded wet banks of cold mountain streams. When grown in a home garden Wasabi does best in full shade with steady temperatures between 40-70°F, although the Daruma variety is slightly more tolerant of heat and light. Temperatures below 40°F may slow growth and temperatures below 27°F for more than a few days can kill the entire plant. Temperatures above 80°F can begin to cause heat damage as well as increase the risk of pests and disease. So take this into consideration when selecting a planting sight for your Wasabi.

Choose a well-drained location with sufficient organic matter. If you’re planting in a pot the container size should be 1-2 gallons. Wasabi requires a neutral or slightly acidic soil pH of 6-7.  Plant your start only deep enough to keep it upright.  Being sure that all of the roots are covered, backfill the hole and gently press into place. Do not cover the rhizome, it needs to be exposed above the surface. Wasabi plants can reach 24 inches in height so space plants at least 12 inches apart. Water well, but do not let the plant sit in drainage water. After initial planting irrigate regularly with cool water. You can mist the plants in hot weather to keep them cool and to avoid wilted leaves. Mulch may increase moisture retention, which will be especially beneficial during warmer months.

Leaves that have been wilted for a week or more should be removed to deter pests and lower the risk of disease. Keep the planting bed or containers weed-free and fertilize 1-2 times/year with a balanced, all-purpose fertilizer

 Pests and Diseases: Wasabi is a member of the Brassica family. Pests and diseases of this family include aphids, cabbage and alfalfa looper larvae, crane fly larvae, and slugs. The best defense against pests and disease is to maintain the cool temperatures and stable irrigation wasabi prefers. Pruning wilted or diseased foliage, hand removal of slugs or use of slug bait, and removal of aphids and other pests are beneficial to the plant’s health. Use caution when using any insecticidal soap or any other insecticides. If any disease is detected remove the plant from the soil and try treating it by soaking it in a gallon of water with 4 tablespoons of bleach for 20 minutes then rinse with clean water and replant.

 Harvesting: If conditions are optimal, within 24-36 months from the initial planting, you may harvest a four-inch or larger rhizome. You will also have offshoots that you can replant.  In the meantime, you may harvest the petioles (leaf stems), leaves, and flowers that bloom in the early spring. All parts of the plant are edible.

Shipping Notes: Plants are shipped bare roots in potting soil with the leaves trimmed. It is normal for any leaves present at shipping to wilt and die off. Cut leaf stems will also die off.